Bone Spurs
Introduction
Bone spurs are generally considered Osteophytes. Osteophytes are irregular bone growths that occur in the vertebrae. It can develop for several reasons and one of the most common causes is friction that occurs within joints. When it experiences this kind of stress, the body tries to repair itself by creating more calcium deposits or bone. It attempts to strengthen the bones to counter the friction it is experiencing. These calcium deposits are bone spurs.
The new bone can have a different form and structure compared to the original one. Eventually, these irregular bone growths become large enough to affect nearby tissues which can result in excruciating symptoms.
Bone Spurs can develop anywhere in the body, the vertebrae and the spine included. When these bone spurs develop in the spine, some of them become large enough to cause compression of nearby spinal nerve roots and columns. This compression results in varying symptoms.
Unlike what is implied in the name, however, bone spurs are not actually sharp. Rather, they are smooth rounded bone growths. They can develop anteriorly or posteriorly. Posterior osteophytes are bone growths that developed near the back of the spine and can lead to Stenosis – gradual narrowing of the spinal canal. Anterior osteophytes are bone growths that develop in the front of the spine. They usually occur in the cervical region and is commonly caused by aging.
What Causes Bone Spurs?
The most common cause of bone spurs is the natural process of aging. It’s the natural scheme of our bodies that its parts will slowly deteriorate. This includes the spine. When discs or cartilage within the joints start to degenerate, bone-on-bone contact may happen between vertebral bones and joints. This eventually results in bone spurs. This is most common in disc degeneration, joint degeneration, and spinal osteoarthritis diseases.
However, although aging is the most common and likely cause of bone spurs, other factors can also lead to its development. The following are examples of these:
Injuries which are especially common in high-impact sports can lead to bone spurs. For example, bone fractures can cause bone spurs to occur in the affected region to make up for lack in bone density in that specific area.
Unhealthy pound can affect overall heath, including the spine. The spine is responsible for support of the body’s weight. Increased weight can increase pressure placed on the spine which can quicken the deterioration process of the spine and result to bone spurs eventually.
One of the most common cause of bone spurs in friction in the joints. Friction in the facet joints are triggered by viral infections that can also trigger the growth of bone spurs.
If a patient has a medical history in the family of degenerative spine diseases then they are more likely to develop bone spurs as they grow old.
Symptoms Of Bone Spurs
Usually, symptoms do not show until the bone spurs have affected a nearby spinal nerve root or the spinal column because the spine is part of the central nervous system that controls the feeling and movement of the body, hence it is a highly innervated area. Once compression on the spinal nerve occurs, it can result in painful symptoms in various parts of the body.
Symptoms will vary depending on the location of the bone spur in the spine and the severity of the condition. The following are examples of different parts of the body that may experience symptoms depending on the region affected:
Cervical Spine
When the bone spur occurs in the cervical region of the spine, the following areas may be affected:
- Neck
- Shoulder
- Upper back
- Arms
Thoracic Spine
When the bone spurs occur in the thoracic region of the spine, the following areas may be affected:
- Middle back
- Torso
- Ribs
- Internal organs
Lumbar Spine
When the bone spurs occur in the lumbar region of the spine, the following areas may be affected:
- Lower back
- Hips
- Buttocks
- Legs
The following symptoms may be experienced in those areas that are affected:
- Crepitus: A painful feeling of bone rubbing against bone caused by irregular bone formation.
- Local Pain: This refers to the throbbing or painful point in the affected joint area.
- Numbness: Occurs when there is a loss of feeling or sensation.
- Stiffness: Joints begin to feel locked in place and difficult to move.
- Traveling Pain: Pain that starts in the joints then moves to other extremities in the body.
Risks
The main cause for bone spur development is the natural process of aging. Obviously, this is an inevitable occurrence for our bodies that as a person grows old, their bodies deteriorate. However, there are other factors that can increase the risks of developing bone spurs. The following are examples of risk factors where some can be avoided in order to reduce the chances of having bone spurs in the spine:
Disc degeneration disease occurs when discs degenerate due to a variety of reasons, it is possible to expose the vertebrae that lie on either side of the disc to each other. Thus, this causes bone-on-bone contact that eventually leads to irregular bone formation.
If a person has a family history of degenerative spine diseases, this increases the risk of developing bone spurs in the spine.
Poor posture increases the risk for other degenerative spine diseases that could potentially cause the disc to thin or collapse. Therefore exposing the vertebrae on either side of the discs and result in irregular bone formation.
Poor eating habits can contribute to unhealthy weight gain. This can cause degenerative spine conditions to occur. Once that happens, bone spurs may follow.
Patients who have sustained injury such as compression fracture have a higher likelihood to develop a bone spur overtime.
Smoking releases toxins in the body that can stop the spine and its components from receiving the necessary nutrients to keep it healthy. With an already deteriorating spine, – due to the natural process of aging – it could potentially cause the cartilage to wear out faster and causes bone-on-bone contact of vertebrae to vertebrae.
Having weak core muscles can contribute to degenerating spine conditions. Once the normal wear and tear causes the thin layer of cartilage to finally give out, then bone spurs may develop as these bones rub against each other causing irregular bone formation.
How To Prevent Bone Spurs
The unfortunate reality is that there is no guaranteed way to prevent bone spurs from happening. However, living a healthy lifestyle can help you reduce your risk of developing bone spurs. Lifestyle changes that can help prevent bone spurs from growing include:
- Be physically fit.
- Eat a balanced, nutritious diet.
- Maintain a healthy weight to reduce extra stress on bones and joints.
- Maintain good posture and ergonomics (proper positioning at your desk).
- Prevent joint injuries by stretching and using safe exercise techniques.
- Wear well-fitting, supportive shoes.
How Long Do Bone Spurs Last?
Bone spurs will not go away on their own. Patients with bone spurs will need to have them surgically removed to be rid of them.
Can Bone Spurs Grow Back?
It is extremely rare for bone spurs to grow back after they have been surgically removed, however, bone spurs could develop in other areas.
How Are Bone Spurs Treated?
Some home remedies and lifestyle changes help ease osteophyte symptoms:
- Ice to reduce swelling.
- Over-the-counter pain relievers, such as acetaminophen or NSAIDS like ibuprofen.
- Rest.
- Supportive shoes or shoe inserts.
- Weight loss to decrease joint and bone stress.
If those methods aren’t enough, your healthcare provider can prescribe:
Exercises and stretches can reduce pain, improve range of motion and strengthen muscles around joints.
If over-the-counter pain medicines don’t provide relief, your healthcare provider may prescribe a stronger option or cortisone shot.
If symptoms continue after a year of treatment, surgery can remove the bone spurs.
A bone spur cannot go away but the pain can be managed
Bone Spurs can be hidden for years and the symptoms can go undetected for a long time
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